Triglycerides (MCT) Supplements

Medium chain triglycerides (MCTs), the name sure sounds complicated. It is named so by the IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) because of the way the carbon atoms are arranged in their chemical structure. Medium chain triglycerides are fatty acids that are more easily digested by the human body than other types of fats. This is so because their composition is of shorter length as compared to the other long chain fatty acids present in most other fats and oils. They resemble carbohydrate more than fat because of their ability to rapidly burn out as energy and lower calorie content. Naturally, Medium chain triglycerides are found in coconut oil, palm kernel oil and breast milk.

Medium chain triglycerides are also used as dietary supplements or medicines and are easily produced manually. Although there have been many supplements that have come and gone, MCT Oil is one of the most effective still today. MCT Oil (Medium Chain Triglyceride) has been used to treat fat malabsorption, obesity and cystic fibrosis. This is also one of the better researched supplements on the market today. MCTs are used along with usual medications for treating food absorption disorders including diarrhea, steatorrhea (fat indigestion), celiac disease, liver disease, and digestion problems due to partial surgical removal of the stomach (gastrectomy) or the intestine (short bowel syndrome).

MCT is also often used by the athletes during their training period for nutritional support during training as well as for lowering body fat and increasing lean muscle mass. MCT also provides quick energy which comes handy for athletes. MCT is also used in maldigestion, children with terrible digestive diseases or problems, liver problems, and body-builders because it is quickly absorbed and used, reliving kids of their problems. MCT is added to diets where there are bile problems, pancreatic problems, and poor fat metabolism because MCT does not need the standard enzyme digestion path to be absorbed.

A recent study was also conducted to check the authenticity of the claims made by MCT oil manufacturers. 20 healthy men were asked to submit their blood samples, after which half of them were given MCT oil and the other half were ingested with canola oil. Their blood samples were taken at an interval of one hour for five hours. The results were overwhelming. Triglycerides, or blood fats, actually decreased 15% for those taking MCT Oil whereas fats increased 47% with the group taking canola oil. The experiment made the benefits of MCT Oil obvious.